Supercharged 5.4L V8, 582hp, 590lb-ft, two seats, carbon fiber interior, four-point harnesses, 200mph, 1.35g lateral acceleration, 14.2″ rotors with 6-pot calipers, 100 examples produced (with only five in the States)… When you read a list like that, “silver Mercedes-Benz CLK” probably isn’t the first thing that pops into your mind. You wouldn’t be alone.
My experience with the Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG was short. Much shorter than I would’ve liked, unfortunately. But it was also a unique experience. This particular CLK DTM AMG was trailing behind me in my 1967 AMC Rambler American on our way to the shoot. Suddenly, the Rambler sputtered and rolled into the left...

On June 28th, 1926 Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie. became Daimler-Benz AG. Motor sport had been a strong tradition and was now pursued with increased vigor. Rudi Caracciola was the Mercedes-Benz racing star and he was winning races with the new Type K which evolved into the 500 and 540K. Less well known was the smaller version which was the 230.
In 1936, the Mercedes-Benz 230 was the fourth in the series of Nibel designs that would form the mainstay of Mercedes-Benz production in the difficult years of the mid-1930s. The first of this line – the Mercedes-Benz 170 – had appeared in 1931. Although outwardly of conservative appearance, the revolutionary Mercedes-Benz 170 embodied Nibel’s...

Following the end of the First World War, German production of aircraft engines and related parts seen as means to start another war ceased by the terms of the Armistice, formalized by the infamous Versailles Treaty. The company consequently shifted to motorcycle production by 1923 once the...

Probably no other car in the post-war era was more important to any manufacturer than the Mercedes-Benz 300SL “Gullwing” coupes. Born and raised on the race track where greats like Juan Manual Fangio, Sir Stirling Moss and Phil Hill took these cars to victory after victory, they represented a new era of progress in West Germany and for the company represented by the tri-star and the Laurel.
In October 1955, this stunning example rolled off the assembly line in Germany and was placed on a boat bound for the port of New York where it was delivered to its first owner. While the car was enjoyed, it was never mis-treated, accumulating about 65,000 miles before ending up in the hands of well known restorer...

Years ago, I had the privilege to shoot a spectacular silver 1971 Dino 246 GT. It was one of my first real, full photo shoots and photos that went on to be used in multiple books, amongst other things. So when the owner of that Dino approached me about shooting another car, I was more than...

For Halloween this year, I present a small automotive treat. When I realized I knew the owners of each of these cars, I knew what had to be done and I knew exactly how I wanted to do it. With nearly identical color scheme and a very similar concept and approach, this Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera and Porsche 911 GT3 RS seemed like a natural match. Both amped up and stripped down versions of more common and more tame base cars, they’re the evil twins of the automotive world and unabashedly aggressive in both visually and mechanically.
Click HERE to view the FULL GALLERY (14...

In 1973, the IROC (International Race of Champions) series was created by Penske Racing and fifteen identically prepared Porsche 911 RSR race cars were built to compete in it. A faithful recreation of the George Follmer IROC Porsche #4 (finishing fourth at the season finale Daytona race in 1974), this car received a full bare body restoration with no expenses spared and all of the very best of Porsche engineering. And, as a testament to the quality and accuracy of the build, the dash has been signed by George Follmer himself at the Portland Historics.
View all 21 photos of this car in the gallery,...

Categories

About Desert-Motors

Unlike most automotive websites, which are focused primarily on one type of automobile, make or model across the nation or even world, Desert-Motors is focused on the regional automotive community; from Italian supercars to custom motorcycles to Japanese compacts.

Disclaimer

All images appearing on the Desert-Motors.com web site are the exclusive property of Patrick Ernzen (except where noted) and are protected under the United States and International Copyright laws.

The images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of Patrick Ernzen.

Use of any image as the basis for another photographic concept or illustration (digital, artist rendering or alike) is a violation of the United States and International Copyright laws.